CHAP. XXXIX.] HARPERS PRINTING-OFFICE. 251 



presses was throwing off sheets of various works, and the greater 

 number were occupied with the printing of a large illustrated 

 Bible, and Morse s Geography for the use of schools. In 1845, 

 the Harpers sold two millions of volumes, some of them, it is true, 

 being only styled numbers, but these often contain a reprint of an 

 entire English novel, originally published in two or three volumes, 

 at the cost of a guinea and a half, the same being sold here for 

 one or two shillings. Several of Bulwer s tales are among these, 

 40,000 copies of his &quot;Last of the Barons&quot; having just issued 

 from this house. It may, indeed, be strictly said of English 

 writers in general, that they are better known in America than 

 in Europe. 



Of the best English works of fiction, published at thirty-one 

 shillings in England, and for about sixpence here, it is estimated 

 that about ten times as many copies are sold in the United States 

 as in Great Britain ; nor need we wonder at this, when we con 

 sider that day laborers in an American village often purchase a 

 novel by Scott, Bulwer, or Dickens, or a popular history, such 

 as Alison s Europe (published at thirteen pounds in England and 

 sixteen shillings in America), and read it at spare moments, while 

 persons in a much higher station in England are debarred from 

 a similar intellectual treat by considerations of economy. 



It might have been apprehended that, where a daily newspaper 

 can be bought for a halfpenny, and a novel for sixpence, the public 

 mind would be so taken up with politics and light reading, that 

 no time would be left for the study of history, divinity, and the 

 graver periodical literature. But, on the contrary, experience 

 has proved that, when the habit and facility of reading has been 

 acquired by the perusal even of trashy writings, there is a steady 

 increase in the number of those who enter on deeper subjects. 

 I was glad to hear that, in proportion as the reading public 

 augments annually, the quality of the books read is decidedly 

 improving. About four years ago, 40,000 copies were printed 

 of the ordinary common-place novels published in England, of 

 which sort they now only sell about 8000. 



It might also have been feared that the cheapness of foreign 

 works unprotected by copyright, would have made it impossible 



